Day Twelve

It was a bit disappointing to wake up on Tuesday morning to remember that Hermione wouldn't be able to fire Nicholas yet. Unless he decided for some odd reason to come into the shop on his off day, she wouldn't see him again until Wednesday. Sending him an owl to request his presence just to fire him on his day off seemed cruel, even if he deserved worse. She knew that even if they threatened him with legal action he would probably still go to the papers to report he'd been unfairly treated. It was best to just get it all over with as soon as they could. She knew she would be anxious for Wednesday to arrive all day.

Rabastan greeted her the moment she entered the kitchen with an affectionate kiss that only lasted a few seconds. Neither one of them forgot what happened on the settee in her office the previous morning. It had been difficult to focus on anything for the rest of the day, but somehow they managed to make it without ripping any clothes off or doing something they would later come to regret.

"These kisses are my favorite part of the day."

She didn't know what possessed her to admit that, but she didn't regret saying so. As a reward, Rabastan gave her another.

"Mine too. I've been considering continuing them long after the thirty days are up."

"I hope you will."

After breakfast Hermione went downstairs for what was sure to be another dismally slow day. According to her husband who made certain to read the major newspapers cover to cover every day, there had been no outright call for boycotting their shop. It was only mentioned in subtle ways in articles about the program. Likely the unofficial boycott was passed along by mouth. How they could fight it, she didn't yet know. Nor did Rabastan.

Once the shop was open and there wasn't a line of customers ready to push through to buy up her inventory, Hermione picked up a book she'd been meaning to read. There hadn't been much time for reading since she bought the shop, but she supposed there was nothing stopping her now.

The bell over the front door rang around mid-morning, startling Hermione out of the novel she was thoroughly engrossed in. She hadn't expected anyone to cross her threshold that day. When she looked up and saw Andromeda Tonks enter, she was even more confused.

"Good morning, Andromeda."

"Oh, hello, Hermione."

The older witch looked around the shop, seemingly surprised that she was the only customer. Though they knew each other and often spoke at social engagements they were both invited to, the women weren't terribly close. Andromeda moved amongst the shelves acting as if she was there to shop. Hermione didn't know why she got the impression that she wasn't being honest. Why was she really there? Was she about to lecture her for marrying a Death Eater? It seemed entirely possible. She lost her husband, daughter, and her son-in-law to them after all. No one would blame her for hating the very ground all of the Death Eaters walked on or for despising anyone who cared about them.

As she moved through the shop, Andromeda kept looking up at Hermione like she was on the verge of saying something. Deciding to just hurry up and get the unpleasantness over with, Hermione sighed and crossed the shop to where Andromeda was looking at a book about xylomancy.

"Was there something that you wanted to talk to me about, Andromeda?"

"No, not at all. I just haven't been in here for a while and I thought I…"

"Please don't lie to me. There's something you want to say."

Knowing she was caught, Andromeda lowered her eyes and dropped the xylomancy book back on its proper shelf. When she looked back up to meet Hermione's eyes, she didn't see any anger or disgust like she expected. No, there was nothing but kindness in Andromeda's wide eyes.

"I just wanted to make sure that you were doing all right. The newspapers haven't been kind and I… well, honestly, Hermione, I've been worried about you."

It meant a great deal to Hermione when she finally got the truth out of the woman. There was nothing but sincerity in what she said, no reason to doubt she meant every word.

"Thank you. I'm all right."

"Good. I've always hated that bitch Rita. We were in the same House and I had to put up with her for five years. She wouldn't admit it today, but she was best friends with my older sister. They lived in the same dormitory and were as thick as thieves."

"I had no idea."

"She can hold a grudge like no one I've ever known. She still hates me for something that happened over forty years ago. If anyone can understand how vindictive and mean she can be, it's me. Of course, I don't generally live an exciting enough life to make it worth her time to write about me."

Andromeda's smile transformed her face. There had been a great deal of sadness and loss in her life thanks to the war. When she stopped to think about all that she had lost, Hermione didn't know how she could even get out of bed each morning. If she hadn't had the responsibility of caring for her grandson Teddy, maybe she wouldn't have. Now that Teddy was old enough to start Hogwarts in the fall, she knew it would be difficult for the woman to be alone again.

"I didn't think I lived an exciting life either, but I guess Rita thinks differently. I haven't read the articles though. Rabastan thinks he's being sneaky about keeping the newspaper away from me, but I know what he's doing."

Almost as if she summoned him by saying his name, her husband emerged from the staircase next to the office. As soon as Andromeda saw him, another wistful smile appeared on her lips. Hermione was surprised by the whole encounter. So far none of it had gone like she expected it to go.

"Andy? It's marvelous to see you again."

Rabastan kissed her cheek before stepping back to place a possessive arm around Hermione's waist. Worried at first that she would be disapproving of the affection he showed his much younger wife, Hermione was happy to see Andromeda smile.

"I've taken up too much of your time already. I should really get going."

Before she left the shop, Andromeda picked up several books almost at random to purchase. She smiled again at them both as she left the shop. It was all very strange. Hermione still wasn't sure the woman's true purpose for being there.

"I've always liked Andy. It was such a disappointment when my brother decided to marry her sister instead of her. They used to be mad for each other."

"Andromeda and Rodolphus?"

"Oh yeah. Everyone expected them to get married. We were just waiting for them to hurry up and set a date. But something happened between them. I don't know the details. Probably something to do with the wizard she ended up marrying instead. I think the wedding had to be rushed, if you know what I mean."

"So Rodolphus just settled for Bellatrix?"

The loud laughter out of her husband was unexpected, but it made her smile.

"That's a good way to put it. I think Roddy did it out of spite and regretted it the second the bonding spell was cast."

A clap of distant thunder knocked the smile off Rabastan's face. Soon heavy raindrops clattered against the windowpanes. His deep sigh was impossible to miss, but she didn't ask what was wrong. Not everyone liked the rain even in a country where it rained a lot.

It might have technically been her new manager's day off, but Rabastan didn't leave her alone in the shop that day. There were other stacks of books he hadn't yet charmed to keep from tumbling over. Hermione enjoyed being alone with him even if it would have also been nice to have some customers come inside the shop.

The rain continued all day long and into the evening. It was easy to see that it put her husband in an odd mood. After dinner was over and they had the kitchen cleaned, they settled on the sofa in front of the fireplace. She loved hearing the sound of the raindrops, but he found nothing at all soothing about it.

"I'm sorry I haven't been myself today."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek as a way of telling him that she understood. It was the first time she had ever seen him the least bit grumpy. Though she wouldn't dream of telling him while he was in the midst of that mood, it was kind of adorable. It almost meant a lot to her to know that he felt comfortable enough around her to be himself.